June 20 Sure Protector

Ezekiel 25:2 & 6-7 "Son of man, set your face toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them...6 For thus says the Lord God: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel, 7 therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand against you, and will hand you over as plunder to the nations. And I will cut you off from the peoples and will make you perish out of the countries; I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am the Lord."

GOD's judgment shifts away from Jerusalem and to Israel's enemies. This Scripture is the first of six judgments God proclaimed against Ammon, Moab, Seir, Edom, Philistia and Tyre. The reason for these judgments is represented in verse 6 "Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel."

    In God's sovereign authority, he used Babylon to destroy countries that had periodically brought great destruction upon Judah. Indeed, the Ammonites were Israel's first enemies as they fought in the Exodus journey (Numbers 21). Judah's enemies had rejoiced over Judah's demise, mocked God's people and took advantage of their weakness.

    Historical texts outside of the Bible confirm God's words here. They record that many of the small states around Judah escaped Babylon's destruction. But King Nebuchadnezzar's forces decimated Ammon and Moab in 552 BC. Edom came from Esau's descendants and was Judah's enemy for centuries. So was Philistia (Philistines). Isaiah speaks of Edom's threats. 1 & 2 Samuel record many of the battles between Israel and the Philistines.

    Take time to also read Ezekiel 25 to see the prophecy of destruction on Tyre. After destroying Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar also laid siege to Tyre, destroying some of the coastal city quickly. Then after 13 years of siege, Tyre was utterly demolished, never to regain its glory and strength. Here is God the Father protecting his children. He punishes the evil outside of Judah as surely as he punishes the evil within. He will bring justice to the nations.

    Know today God will continue to protect his own. As we see God's enemies come against his church, we may be discouraged. But have faith that he will act to protect his own. The Bible wonderfully promises God will transform our temporary strife into his victories glory.

    As you consider the circumstances today in which evil seems to reign, remember Psalms 148:13-14 "Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!"

Prayer: Protect us, O God from evil around us. As you bring strife into our lives, let us remember you have freely delivered your life to us for eternal freedom and joy. In Jesus' name we rejoice, amen.